Monday just gave me a splitting headache. In the last few days I have gotten news that I don't like, made life changes (no matter how temporary or not) I don't like, and have to live with it (which I don't like). Monday just turned the temperature up on that oven that my head is in....
I have been lazy. I don't know how else to describe it - and part of the reason I am so angry at myself because of this whole situation.... I left the last employer in early March, and I had not gotten around to getting the 401K out of the "employer" account, or the monies I have from the ESOP the company is in. I was able to get online account access and do some changes, but could never figure out a way to basically, set up a traditional IRA and move the funds to the new account. This on the advice from my financial consultant. Every time I went on and tried to figure out how to do this, I would end up getting a headache because I could not navigate through the financial language, or find the correct way and process to do the thing I want to do. With many companies closed the past few weeks, it's not like I can just go into any office and do this... especially if I don't know if they even have one locally.
Well, today I was determined to get this crap done. I had a stack of things I wanted to get done on my keyboard, so when I got up, I could get started on it all. Took the Wife's van up through emissions (passed). Next up.... 401K. Got on the website (again) took about a half hour of trying to get to where and what I needed with no luck (again) and clicked the "Contact Us" option. I got like three different numbers. One was for TDD, so I didn't even bother with that one.
First one was labeled 'Planning and Investment Services - Call a Representative' so I called this 866#, and was expecting the usual recorded 'this is the company you reached, press option # for what you need' kind of thing. Nope. The recorded message went something like this:
"You have a chance to win a $100 gift card for Wallyworld (you know who). Press 1 to answer the short survey and claim your prize.
You have qualified for a $100 gift card, please press 1 to accept. . Press 1 to claim your prize." I thought this VERY strange, so I pressed "1" and ..... the clouds parted and God's abundance of people that speak in that damn India accent comes on telling me that I have won a gift card and would I answer some questions. I interrupted the person (couldn't tell by voice if male/female) and asked, "Is this ?"
"Oh thank you and we will connect you quickly after conducting this brief-" I hung up. I compared the number I dialed to what was on the company website for Customer Service - same exact number. I'm thinking, what the heck?
Okay, errors can be made. Maybe the web designer mistyped/misread/was given it wrong.... whatever. Went on the the other number that was labeled 'Benefits Center - Toll-Free Number'. At this point, I am fully expecting to hear the company name again, etc. No. A recording comes on and says something like....
"Please enter your name on the dial pad, or key your social security number for access."
I hung up and dialed it again. Compared phone numbers. Same message. No way am I giving out my SS# to a recorded message, that didn't even say what company it was for, or any other info. My head is starting that low-thrub beat with my heart.... like when you were 12 and that girl in English class that you sorta crush on, actually asks you what book are you reading for your book report. Not quite a good R&B, but there's a beat started.
Okay, this is a pretty big investment firm, in my opinion, so there has got to be offices somewhere across the US. Maybe I can call LA or NY, or somewhere to get actual help for a person in AZ. What do you know. three offices in the Valley of the Sun.... one of which is only a 15 minute drive from home. Ohhhhh... I felt that low-throb beat take a stutter step. My breathing shortened. I felt the dawning of HOPE. I grabbed all the paperwork and bolted to the car. I did not speed on the way there, though was tempted.
Found the place easy enough. Easy access. Good signage. Including the ones on the doors saying CLOSED. I mean, I know the empty parking lot should have clued me in, but I had to make sure. Maybe they had posted something about when they would be open to public again since so many places are slowly doing that now. I don't know. I did not read all three different pages (the ones in English anyways). I skimmed and saw a local telephone number on the second one, took the phone out, snapshot, and drove back home.
Had to make a stop on the way home (for the Wife - she wanted/needed something to drink with some electrolytes, so I got some Powerades. By the time I got home (about a 45 min round trip) it was noon'ish. I brought the Wife her drink in bed, and sat down and was telling her what all I have had to go through this morning, plus all the other times (I had not mentioned to her the previous attempts at online stuff). She was peeved at the issue about the toll free numbers I called. That headache had turned back up, and I was not going to feed that bass... so I set the pile of paperwork aside, for Tuesday (read, later today). I'll wait until a respectable business hour, like 10am and try that local number.
Edit: BTW, the Wife is feeling slightly better. Still a low-grade fever, small flu-like symptoms, but not coughing or having breathing issues. Orders are for bedrest as much as possible. She eats and drinks what she can (still not smelling well, though can barely smell orange now). The Boys and I are not showing any symptoms, though still have most of the 2-week incubation period to go through yet.
Why does it seem the weird crap like this always happens to my family or me? Sure seems that way sometimes. And should I note here.... My Wife was the first person I knew to get this crap? No other friends/family have gotten it that I am aware of....
PeacE
